Collapsible receptacle

ABSTRACT

A collapsible receptacle having the lower end of the walls hingedly connected with the base frame by hinge bolts inserted into slot-like oblong holes which are open at the upper end and having a length greater than the cross-sectional size of the hinge bolt. A device is associated with the upper end opening for blocking or permitting removal of the hinge bolt from the oblong hole.

United States Patent 1191 Zarges Jan. 1,1974

[5 COLLAPSIBLE RECEPTACLE 3,122,258 2/1964 Shile 220/6 [76] Inventorwanher zarges 3,628,683 12/1971 Friedrich 220/6 Maria-Antonien-Weg 6,FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Mumau/obb', Germany 1,144,178 2/1963Germany 220/6 p 2 1,280,150 l0/l968 Germany 220/6 [21] Appl' 184502Primary ExaminerGeorge Ej Lowrance Attorney-Craig, Antonelli & Hill [30]Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 1, 1970 Germany P 20 48 382.3[57] ABSTRACT A collapsible receptacle having the lower end of the ICCll 2201612532? walls g y connected with the base frame y hinge [58]Fieid "5 F 6 bolts inserted into slot-like oblong holes which are openat the upper end and having a length greater [56] References cued thanthe cross-sectional size of the hinge bolt. A device is associated withthe upper end opening for UNITED STATES PATENTS blocking or permittingremoval of the hinge bolt from 2,801,761 8/1967 Pigatti; 220/7 theoblong hole 3,516,592 6/1970 Freidrich 2,799,423 7/1957 Kaye 220/7 22Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 5 L a J 1/11 2 1/11 fig ll/ /M:

PAIEMEW mm sum 2 0r FIG. 5

INVENTOR WALTHE ZARGES CeoJa. MLOMQQi 4, H-(QQ AT ORNEYS I PAIEHTEU W43,782,579

' sum 3 or 3 FIG;

INVEN TOR WALT'HER .ZARGE5 ATTORNEYS COLLAPSIBLE RECEPTACLE Theinvention relates to a collapsible receptacle with or without a lid, inwhich the lower end of the walls is hingedly connected with the baseframe via bolts introduced into holes.

Receptacles with the above or other permanently hinged connectionsbetween the walls and the base frame are of advantage in that they canbe extremely easily assembled by simply swinging up the individual wallsand subsequently securing them together. As a rule with such receptaclesno loose, i.e., losable parts are required for the individual boltingdevices, which is particularly important in the empty transportation ofsuch recpetacles. However these receptacles are disadvantageous in asmuch as the individual walls must from a design standpoint havedifferent dimensions, and further in that when collapsing them aparticular sequence must be observed for the individual walls. Ifunavoidably damage occurs to the individual walls during use of suchreceptacles then generally the user cannot himselfreplace such damagedwalls so that the receptacle has to be sent for repair whichnecessitates time and money-consuming labour. The repair workshop whichcarries out the work has to have a correspondingly large spares storedue to the differing dimensions of the individual walls. 7

Collapsible receptacles with or without a lid are also known wherein allparts are loose. These loose parts are assembled and held together inthis type of collapsible receptacle by means of pins, clips or suitablelocks. It is advantageous with such receptacles for at least two of thewalls to be identical, optionally all four walls can be identical namelyin the case of square receptacles. On assembling such receptacles nospecial sequence has to be adhered to for the individual walls and if inuse damage occurs to the walls of these receptacles then they can bereplaced in a very simple manner. However as against these advantagesthere is the disadvantage compared with the simple swinging up of thewalls of receptacles of the first-indicated type of a much morecomplicated joining together of the individual loose parts which as suchcan easily be lost during the empty transportation of these receptacles.In addition damage easily occurs to the means for joining together theindividual parts because during use of the receptacles these areexposed.

In view of the above-indicated comments the object of the invention isto provide a collapsible receptacle with or without a lid which as faras possible combines the advantages of the two above-indicatedconstructional principles of such receptacles, whilst avoiding as far aspossible the disadvantages linked therewith.

To solve this problem starting with a collapsible receptacle with orwithout a lid of the above-indicated type it is proposedaccording to theinvention for each hole associated with a hinge bolt to be in the formof a slot-like oblong hole open at its upper end, which relative to thecross-sectional size of the hinge bolt has a greater length and whereinthe upper opening end thereof is associated with a device which can asdesired block or permit the removal of the hinge bolt from this oblonghole. For assembly purposes such a receptacle only needs the individualwalls to be swung up no particular sequence needing to be maintained forthe swinging up purposes. If the individual hinge bolts are located atthe lower ends of the walls and the associated oblong holes in the baseframe, then at least two and possibly all four walls can have the samedimensions. If these walls are damaged then their replacement is simplebecause it is merely necessary to operate the devices blocking theremoval of the hinge bolts from their oblong holes in order to permitthe removal of the hinge bolts of a particular wall from their oblongholes.

As devices which optionally prevent or permit the removal of theindividual hinge bolts from their particular oblong hole, numerousalternatives are proposed within the scope of the individual designfeatures of the present invention. For example according to theinvention it is possible for the opening at the upper end of each oblonghole to be blocked by a split pin, dowel pin bolt, screw or wedgeagainst the removal of the associated hinge bolt for normal use of thereceptacle. if a damaged wall is to be replaced it is then onlynecessary to remove the corresponding member so that such a wall can beremoved without any difficulty.

It is alternatively possible for the upper end of each oblong hole to beconstricted to a smaller opening width relative to the cross-sectionalsize of the asso ciated joint bolt and to make this constrictionremovable or elastically enlargeable. Within the scope of thisalternative feature it is possible, for example, to provide at least onelongitudinal wall of each oblong hole in the region of its upper endwith a bead-like elastically resilient projection which constricts theopening width, below which the longitudinal wall is preferably providedwith a reduced wall thickness as compared with the remaining wall andthe other facing longitudinal wall of the oblong hole. Such a bead-likeprojection prevents, during normal operation of the receptacle, aremoval of the associated hinge bolt from its longitudinal hole. If inthis case a wall has to be replaced because of damage then onlysufficient force need be applied to the wall to remove the constrictionat the upper opening end of a longitudinal hole brought about by thebead-like projection.

It is also possible to provide at least in one rigid longitudinal wallof each oblong hole in the area of its upper opening end an elastic orspring-pretensioned bolt, ball or the like for constricting the oblonghole to a smaller opening width.

The oblong holes which in each case serve to receive a hinge bolt neednot necessarily be open at the upper end in their longitudinal axis, infact the opening can also be provided in the longitudinal wall of theoblong holes on the inside of the receptacle. Such an arrangementrequires an inclined position to remove the walls.

Within the scope of the various solutions according to the invention forsolving the above-indicated problem another solution is of interestaccording to which each opening associated with a hinge bolt is made inthe form of a slot-lilte oblong hole open at its upper end which islonger than the cross-sectional size of the joint bolt, whereby unlikein the solutions indicated hereinbefore each hinge bolt is non-circular.Such a noncircular design of the hinge bolts prevents during normaloperation of the receptacle an unwanted removal of the hinge bolts fromtheir oblong holes. It is necessary to replace a wall due to damage thensuch a wall need only be brought into a particular inclined positionwherein the diametral small dimension of the hinge bolt passesunhindered through the upper ends of the associated oblong holes adaptedas regards their opening width. In addition with such an embodiment ofthe receptacle with the above-indicated devices similar devices can beprovided which optionally permit and block a removal of a hinge boltfrom its oblong hole.

For a receptacle of the herinbefore indicated type another solution forthe above problem is for each opening associated with a hinge bolt to bein the form of a slit-like oblong hole, and each hinge bolt is fixeddetachably to its wall. With this embodiment then only the two hingebolts of one wall must be detached therefrom when a replacement becomesnecessary. A preferred design feature of such a receptacle according tothe invention is considered to be that each slit-like oblong hole has atits upper end an opening in its longitudinal wall on the outside of thereceptacle adapted to the cross-sectional size of the associated hingebolt and that the hinge bolt is screwed to its wall. Each hinge bolt ispreferably provided with a thread at the end for screwing to the walls.On replacing a wall it is only necessary to bring the wall into itsupper fastening position of its hinge bolts, then the bolts can beunscrewed by means of a screwdriver via the openings in the longitudinalwalls of the oblong holes on the outside of the receptacle whereby thewall is released. The assembly takes place in reverse sequence.

To prevent an undesired detachment of the hinged connections when thereceptacles are assembled further safety mechanisms can be provided.Thus for example on the base frame and on the individual wallsadditional complementary projections and recesses can be provided whichengage in one another with the receptacle walls assembled.

As the lower edges of the walls are only secured by the hinge boltsintroduced into the oblong holes the base frame, inside the receptacle,should have spaced or linear members cooperating with the assembledwalls. To prevent, particularly in the case of larger receptacles, atilting of the walls when swung up or down in the case when the hingebolts are introduced into their oblong holes with a greater or smallertolerance, according to another design feature of the invention theindividual walls are made necessarily parallel, which is preferablybrought about by each wall at its lower end having two pinions at theends of a common rotary shaft, which cooperate respectively with a rackwhich isparallel to the oblong holes. Such a compulsory parallel guidingof the individual walls prevents an undesired removal of the hinge boltsfrom their oblong holes in the alternately overlapping state of thewalls when flapped down.

The invention will be more closely described hereinafter with referenceto various embodiments by way of example schematically shown in thedrawings. There show:

FIG. I is a perspective of a complete collapsible receptacle accordingto the invention,

FIG. 2 is a section through the receptacle according to FIG. I along theline II to II,

FIG. 3 is a partial section through the receptacle according to FIGS. 1and 2 in the direction of the arrow III in FIG. 2. in order toillustrate a possible embodiment of a hinged joint according to theinvention for the individual walls,

FIG. 4 is a sectional representation corresponding to FIG. 3illustrating the disassembly of a receptacle wall,

FIG. 5 is a sectional representation also corresponding to FIG. 3illustrating an alternative embodiment,

FIG. 6 is a sectional representation also corresponding to FIG. 3showing a third embodiment according to the invention,

FIG. 7 is a partial section along the line VII to VII of FIG. 2,

FIG. 8 is a partial section corresponding to FIG. 3 illustrating afurther embodiment according to the invention,

FIG. 9 is another partial section corresponding to FIG. 3 illustrating afifth embodiment according to the invention,

FIGS. 10 and 11 show in two partial sections the representation of adevice for the compulsory parallel guiding of the walls.

The complete container shown in perspective in FIG. 1 has a base frame1, which fixes the base 2. Each of the walls 3 is at its lower endprovided with two laterally arranged hinge bolts 4,.w hich in each caseengage in a slot-like oblong hole 5.

In the case of the embodiment according to FIGS. 3 and 4 this oblonghole 5 is open at its upper end at 6. One longitudinal wall is providedwith a bead-like projection 7, which constricts this opening 6 to anopening width which is smaller than the circular cross-section of thehinge bolt 4. Below this projection 7 this longitudinal wall of theoblong hole 5 is of reduced thickness at 8. The bead-like projection 7normally prevents a removal of the hinge bolt 4 but if tension isexerted on the wall 3 in the direction of the arrow 9 then the bolt 4 inthe dotted-line position 4' in FIG. 3 presses the beadlike projection 7into the dotted-line position 7' so that it can be removed from theoblong hole 5. FIG. 4 shows another possibility of detaching a wall 3without the use of any tool. This shows the wall 3' placed in aninclined position with a spacer 10 placed beneath it so that on exertingpressure in the direction of the arrow 11 a lever arm is provided whichfacilitates the elastic forcing aside of the bead-like projection 7 intothe position 7 by the hinge bolt in the position 4' assumed by the same.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 the opening 6' is at the upper end ofthe oblong hole 5 in the inner longitudinal wall of the receptacle, theoblong hole 5 is therefore bounded upwardly by a cross bar 12. Thelatter has at its free end a bead-like projection 13, which here againtakes over the task of constricting the opening 6' to an opening widthwhich is smaller than the cross-section of the hinge bolt 4. For removalof the longitudinal wall 3 it is necessary to move it into the inclinedposition 3" and then to exert tension in the direction of the arrow 14so that the hinge bolt assuming the position 4" can elastically moveaside the projection 13 into position 13' shown by the dotted lines.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 corresponds essentially to that of FIG. 5whereby here however for the bar 12 at the upper end of the oblong hole5 a rigid arrangement is chosen. In the free end of this bar 12' isintroduced a bolt 15 which is itself elastic the free end of which hereagain constricts the opening 6" to an opening width which is smallerthan the cross-section of the hinge bolt 4. If the wall 3' is moved intothe inclined position 3" according to FIG. 5 and tension is exerted onthe inclined wall in the direction of arrow 14 then the bolt 15 iselastically deformed so that the constriction of the opening 6 isremoved and consequently the hinge bolt 4 can move out of the oblonghole 5.

The sectional representation of FIG. 7 shows a securing mechanism forthe assembled wall 3 by means of complementary projections 16 andrecesses 17 on the base frame 1 and the wall, said members engaging inone another when the wall is assembled. 18 is a stop provided within thereceptacle on the base frame which makes point or linear contact withthe assembled wall.

The embodiment of H6. 8 as in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and b has aslot-like oblong hole 5 whereof the inner longitudinal wall of thereceptacle has at the upper end an opening 6", which is constricted toan opening width corresponding to the diametral minor dimension a of theassociated noncircular hinge bolt 4' individual oblong holes a devicewhich as in the case of the described embodiments optionally permits orprevents a removal of the hinge bolt from the oblong holes.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the receptacle according to the inventionwherein the hinge bolts 4 are screwed into the walls by means of an endthread 19. The oblong holes 5 provided in this embodiment have at theirupper end in their outer longitudinal wall of the receptacle an opening20 adapted to the cross-sectional size of the associated hinge bolts dby means of which the hinge bolt 4" in the raised state of the walls 3,wherein the hinge bolts are in the position showed in dotted lines inFIG. 9, a screwdriver can be brought into operative connection in orderto unscrew the hinge bolts from the raised wall so that the latter isready for replacement in the case of damage. Other embodiments arenaturally also possible for such a detachable fixing of the hinge boltsto the receptacle walls.

FIGS. ill and 111 finally show a preferred detail particularly forlarger receptacles which ensures that the walls are necessarilyparallel. At the lower end of each wall is positioned a rotatable shaft21 on each of the two ends of which is fixed a pinion 22. The shaft 2tcan simultaneously also form with its ends the hinge bolts 4" of a wall3. Each pinion 22 meshes with a rack 23 parallel to the individualoblong holes 5, said rack being preferably in one piece with the baseframe. Otherwise the embodiment of lFlGS. MB and 11 is the same as thatof lFllG. 5.

in all the described embodiments of the invention the oblong holes neednot necessarily be in the base frame, instead corner brackets can bemounted at the lower corners of the receptacle which are then positivelyconnected with the base frame.

l claim:

l. A foldable container comprising: a base member, a frame memberdisposed along edge portion of said base member, a plurality of wallsdisposed along edge portions of said base member forming the respectivesides of the container, pin means disposed substantially in the lowerend of said walls along the side edges thereof for pivotally supportingsaid walls, said frame member being provided along at least portionsthereof with first and second horizontally spaced walls definingtherebetween oblong slots for receiving said pin means, said oblongslots being slightly greater in width than the crosssectional size ofsaid pin means, said first and second walls having a vertical heightwhich is at least sufficient to permit vertical displacement of said pinmeans when said walls are superimposed upon folding of the container,and means disposed in the upper region of each of said oblong slots forreleasably securing said pin means therein.

2. A foldable container according to claim ll, wherein said oblong slotsare open at its upper end and said pin means include hinge bolts havingnon-circular cross sections with the minor diameter of said hinge boltsat least equal to the width of opening of the upper end of said oblongslots.

3. A foldable container according to claim l wherein said means forreleasable securing said pin means includes at least one of a split pin,a bolt, a screw, and a wedge.

4. A foldable container according to claim 1 wherein said oblong slotsare open in the upper region thereof and said means for releasablysecuring said pin means includes a means disposed on one of said firstand second walls defining said oblong slot for constricting the openingthereof to a width which is smaller than the cross-sectional size ofsaid pin means, said pin means for constricting being elasticallyenlargeable to release said pin means from said oblong slot.

5. A foldable container according to claim 4 wherein said means forconstricting includes at least one beadlike projection which iselastically flexible to constrict the opening width of said oblongslots.

6. A foldable container according to claim 5 wherein the wall of saidoblong slot provided with said bead-like projection is provided with asmaller wall thickness below said bead-lilac projection than the wallthickness of the opposite wall of said oblong slot.

7. A foldable container according to claim 4. wherein one of said firstand second walls defining said oblong slots is of a greater verticalheight than the other of said walls and is provided with aspring-pretensioned means for constricting the opening of said oblongslots to a smaller width.

8. A foldable container according to claim 7 wherein the opening of saidoblong slots is arranged toward the interior of the container.

9. A foldable container according to claim l wherein the containerincludes four walls and said oblong slots have a length whichcorresponds to the sum of the wall thicknesses of said four walls.

10. A foldable container according to claim 1 wherein said oblong slotsare formed in respective corner brackets fixed to said frame member.

11. A foldable container according to claim l wherein one of said wallsdefining said oblong slots is a portion of a side edge of one of thewalls forming the sides of the container and said pin means are hingebolts threadably engageable with said side edge.

12. A foldable container according to claim l l wherein said means forreleasably securing includes in the other of said walls defining saidoblong slot includes an opening the cross-sectional size of which is atleast equal to the cross-sectional size of said hinge bolts.

13.. A foldable container according to claim lll further comprisingmeans paralelly guiding the plurality of walls forming the sides of thecontainer including at least two pinions disposed at the lower end ofeach of the side walls on respective side edges thereof, said twopinions being fixed at the ends of a common rotary shaft disposed ineach of the side walls, said pinions cooperating with a ratchetextending parallel to said oblong slots.

' 14. A foldable container according to claim 13 wherein the ends ofeach rotary shaft function as the hinge bolt.

15. A foldable container according to claim 13 wherein said ratchets areintegral with frame member.

16. A foldable container according to claim 1 wherein one of said wallsdefining said oblong slots includes a projection and said walls formingthe respective side of the container are provided with recesses whichinterengage said projections when the walls of the container areassembled.

17. A foldable container according to claim 16 wherein the other of saidwalls defining said oblong slot is a stop member cooperating in a linearmanner with the assembled walls of the container.

18. A foldable container, the walls of which are hingedly connected attheir lower ends with the bottom frame via hinge pins engaging intoopenings provided therein, in such a manner that each opening associatedwith a hinge pin is fashioned as a oblong slot open at its upper end,which slot has a width which is larger with respect to thecross-sectional size of the hinge pin, and the upper end of the openingof which is associated with a releasable blocking means for preventingan exiting of each pin from its respective slot, characterized in thatthe oblong slot for at least two opposed-walls have the same length andtheir ends have the same distance from the bottom of the container; andthat the blocking means associated with each oblong slot has a spacingfrom the lower end of the slot which permits a displacement of the hingepin for superimposing the walls of the container.

19. A foldable container according to claim 18 wherein said container isprovided with a lid for covering the top thereof.

20. A foldable container according to claim 5 wherein said bead-likeprojection faces the interior of said oblong slots.

21. A foldable container according to claim 5 wherein the other of saidwalls defining said oblong slots is provided with at least one bead-likeprojection in the upper region thereof.

22. A foldable container according to claim 20 wherein said bead-likeprojections extend toward the exterior of the container.

1. A foldable container comprising: a base member, a frame memberdisposed along edge portion of said base member, a plurality of wallsdisposed along edge portions of said base member forming the respectivesides of the container, pin means disposed substantially in the lowerend of said walls along the side edges thereof for pivotally supportingsaid walls, said frame member being provided along at least portionsthereof with first and second horizontally spaced walls definingtherebetween oblong slots for receiving said pin means, said oblongslots being slightly greater in width than the cross-sectional size ofsaid pin means, said first and second walls having a vertical heightwhich is at least sufficient to permit vertical displacement of said pinmeans when said walls are superimposed upon folding of the container,and means disposed in the upper region of each of said oblong slots forreleasably securing said pin means therein.
 2. A foldable containeraccording to claim 1, wherein said oblong slots are open at its upperend and said pin means includes hinge bolts having non-circular crosssections with the minor diameter of said hinge bolts at least equal tothe width of opening of the upper end of said oblong slots.
 3. Afoldable container according to claim 1 wherein said means forreleasable securing said pin means includes at least one of a split pin,a bolt, a screw, and a wedge.
 4. A foldable container according to claim1 wherein said oblong slots are open in the upper region thereof andsaid means for releasably securing said pin means includes a meansdisposed on one of said first and second walls defining said oblong slotfor constricting the opening thereof to a width which is smaller thanthe cross-sectional size of said pin means, said pin means forconstricting being elastically enlargeable to release said pin meansfrom said oblong slot.
 5. A foldable container according to claim 4wherein said means for constricting includes at least one bead-likeprojection which is elastically flexible to constrict the opening widthof said oblong slots.
 6. A foldable container according to claim 5wherein the wall of said oblong slot provided with said bead-likeprojection is provided with a smaller wall thickness below saidbead-like projection than the wall thickness of the opposite wAll ofsaid oblong slot.
 7. A foldable container according to claim 4 whereinone of said first and second walls defining said oblong slots is of agreater vertical height than the other of said walls and is providedwith a spring-pretensioned means for constricting the opening of saidoblong slots to a smaller width.
 8. A foldable container according toclaim 7 wherein the opening of said oblong slots is arranged toward theinterior of the container.
 9. A foldable container according to claim 1wherein the container includes four walls and said oblong slots have alength which corresponds to the sum of the wall thicknesses of said fourwalls.
 10. A foldable container according to claim 1 wherein said oblongslots are formed in respective corner brackets fixed to said framemember.
 11. A foldable container according to claim 1 wherein one ofsaid walls defining said oblong slots is a portion of a side edge of oneof the walls forming the sides of the container and said pin means arehinge bolts threadably engageable with said side edge.
 12. A foldablecontainer according to claim 11 wherein said means for releasablysecuring includes in the other of said walls defining said oblong slotincludes an opening the cross-sectional size of which is at least equalto the cross-sectional size of said hinge bolts.
 13. A foldablecontainer according to claim 11 further comprising means paralellyguiding the plurality of walls forming the sides of the containerincluding at least two pinions disposed at the lower end of each of theside walls on respective side edges thereof, said two pinions beingfixed at the ends of a common rotary shaft disposed in each of the sidewalls, said pinions cooperating with a ratchet extending parallel tosaid oblong slots.
 14. A foldable container according to claim 13wherein the ends of each rotary shaft function as the hinge bolt.
 15. Afoldable container according to claim 13 wherein said ratchets areintegral with frame member.
 16. A foldable container according to claim1 wherein one of said walls defining said oblong slots includes aprojection and said walls forming the respective side of the containerare provided with recesses which interengage said projections when thewalls of the container are assembled.
 17. A foldable container accordingto claim 16 wherein the other of said walls defining said oblong slot isa stop member cooperating in a linear manner with the assembled walls ofthe container.
 18. A foldable container, the walls of which are hingedlyconnected at their lower ends with the bottom frame via hinge pinsengaging into openings provided therein, in such a manner that eachopening associated with a hinge pin is fashioned as a oblong slot openat its upper end, which slot has a width which is larger with respect tothe cross-sectional size of the hinge pin, and the upper end of theopening of which is associated with a releasable blocking means forpreventing an exiting of each pin from its respective slot,characterized in that the oblong slot for at least two opposed wallshave the same length and their ends have the same distance from thebottom of the container; and that the blocking means associated witheach oblong slot has a spacing from the lower end of the slot whichpermits a displacement of the hinge pin for superimposing the walls ofthe container.
 19. A foldable container according to claim 18 whereinsaid container is provided with a lid for covering the top thereof. 20.A foldable container according to claim 5 wherein said bead-likeprojection faces the interior of said oblong slots.
 21. A foldablecontainer according to claim 5 wherein the other of said walls definingsaid oblong slots is provided with at least one bead-like projection inthe upper region thereof.
 22. A foldable container according to claim 20wherein said bead-like projections extend toward the exterior of thecontainer.